Social media sites have become part and parcel of 21st-century life, so much so that even pampered pets have their own accounts.
While there are plenty of positive aspects of social media networks – the ability to share important information, reconnect with old friends, form groups of like-minded people, and even take part in fundraising – there are also darker elements to these sites.
For example, Facebook has got into hot water over a data breach that rattled many users and led to calls for the network to be deleted. It also sparked a renewed interest in keeping sensitive information safe and removing any personal data from the Internet.
Social media networks can also sometimes be used to broadcast views, which can potentially be discriminatory and even violent or dangerous.
While the majority of social media sites have strict policies regarding the moderation of content and quickly act to remove any violent, threatening, or illicit posts from their sites, conservative network Parler made headlines when it failed to take down posts linked to the Capitol building riots.
As a result, it was removed from the Google Play Store, although it has since returned. And now it is making headlines once again, as none other than infamous rapper Kanye West has signed an agreement to purchase it.
The story of Parler
Parler was founded back in 2018 by John Matze in collaboration with Rebekah Mercer, whose father is renowned for being a billionaire hedge fund manager and the founder of Breitbart.
The goal of the social media network was to provide a platform for “free speech” and currently has somewhere between 700,000 and 1 million active users, among them people who have been banned by Twitter and other mainstream social media sites for their extreme views. Many of its users are fans of former President Donald Trump, and their Parler posts which incited violence during the Capitol Hill riots caused controversy and swift response from Google.
Now it seems that another high-profile conservative is set to take over, as Kanye West – also known as Ye – has reached an agreement to acquire the network.
West’s acquisition will create “an uncancellable ecosystem”
West, who has made headlines in recent weeks for his worrying racist outbursts, has acquired Parler for an undisclosed sum, declaring that, “in a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves”.
Also commenting on the acquisition was George Farmer, the CEO of the network’s parent company, Parlement Technologies. He stated, “this deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech”. Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again. Once again, Ye proves that he is one step ahead of the legacy media narrative. Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals.”
The acquisition is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2022.
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